Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) is sacked and flipped over end as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) looks on the final play of the game as the Minnesota Vikings play the Cleveland Browns at the Metrodome in Minneapolis Minneapolis, Minn., on Sunday, September 22, 2013. Browns won 31-27. In the foreground is Minnesota Vikings guard Brandon Fusco (63).
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson heard boos from some in the Metrodome crowd of 63,672, as well as pleas for coach Leslie Frazier to replace quarterback Christian Ponder with Matt Cassel on Sunday.

He and his teammates need to shake it off, Peterson said.

“It happens,” he said following the 31-27 loss to Cleveland. “I don’t really pay too much attention to it.”

Peterson said the hoots directed at Ponder are unfair.

“I got his back. He scored two touchdowns and kept us in the game,” Peterson noted. “They were cheering him when he scored and booing him when a pass wasn’t as good as they wanted it.”

Peterson said the players also have to shake off their 0-3 start as they prepare to depart for a home game next weekend against Pittsburgh in London.

“We have a mature bunch with great leaders,” he said. “We know these games that we lost, we know how they played out, and so we just have to stay confident and keep swinging, but just swinging a lot better. We’ll be OK.”

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